Traditional fishing crafts of India Fishing boats of Gujarat There is marked difference in the geographical and physical features of northern and southern regions of Gujarat. Whereas the northern region is arid and stony, the southern region is distinguished by sandy bottom. The following types of boat with their broad features gives along side are found in Gujarat. 1) Haler machwa: Length varies from 8-10 m Broad beam and square stern Open boat except for short decking in the fore and aft. Carvel planking with unusually large and heavy frames Tall mast carries on large lateen sail of Arab pattern It is used for gillnet fishing. 2) Porbandar machwa Length varies from 6-8 m Square stern and raked stem Used for gill net fishing 3) Cambay machwa Raked stem Undecked except for short length at stern Truncated stern with a slight rake 1 4) Navalaki hodi Length 5-6 m, breadth 1-1.5 m and draft of 90-105 cm Square stern and overhang bow Decked only fore and aft Single mast carries lateen soil 5) Malia boat Flat bottom boat which measure about 6-7 m in length, breadth 1.5 m with 65cm draft. Ends are pointed and there is small rudder Carvel planking Mast carries a lateen sail Small decking fore and aft Used in tidal waters for prawn fishery 6) Dugout canoe Double – ended round bottom boat Length varies from 5-9 m, breadth 60-90 cm and depth 60-68 cm Small sail raised on a wooden mast Used for gill netting 2 7) Ludhia The boat measures 9-10 m in length and 1.5 to 2 m breadth Short decking at the fore and aft Slightly racked stem and stern Two masts with small lateen sails Carved planking and has strong keel and heavy frames 8) Madhwad type wahan Length 10-13 m and breadth 2-3 m Raked stem and square stern Decked at the fore and aft Large heavy rudder Mast with lateen soil Used for operation of gill nets and dol nets Fishing boats of Maharashtra The physical and geographical features of northern Maharashtra up to Mumbai are similar to those of southern Gujarat. Southern Maharashtra has a rocky coast with sheltered bays, creeks and harbours. The following types of fishing boats are found in Maharashtra. 1) Bombay machwa (Karanja boat) Length 15 m, breadth 3-5 m and depth 1 m Long raking bow with great over hang and sheer. The actual keel is short in relation to the overall length. There are two masts, sails are of lateen type. 2) Satpati type (Gal boat) Length ranges from 10-15 m 3 Carvel planking Medium pointed bow, broad stem, straight keel, high gunwale, and transom stern Used for gill netting 3) Bassein boat Long, straight, pointed fine entry bow with abrupt round stern Carvel planking Broad hull straight keel and average gunwale 4) Versova boat (Hoda) Arched keel, round stern and deep fore foot Stem less raked than Bassein boat, it resembles Bassein boat in other respects Aft deck is present but no fore deck Used for operation of dol nets. 5) Hodi (Toni) It is widened replicate of ordinary dugout, but built by planks Length varies from 7-10 m and breadth 0.75-3 m Single mast with lateen sail Stem and stern are curved like dugout A weather board about 30 cm high is fitted along the gunwale from the stem to just abaft the 4 mast to keep out sea and spray. 6) Rathnagiri machwa Length 10 m, breadth 3 m and depth 1.15 m Broad beam, long over hanging bow, round stern and raked stem post Open boat with low free board, single mast lateen sail Used for deep sea gill net fishing 7) Rampini boat Length about 16 m Narrow keel, stem and stern No mast is carried as the boat is rowed Fitted with out riggers to give stability Used for operation of Rampini nets. The Indian teak is commonly used for the construction of fishing boats in Maharashtra. The vessels are very sturdy. One of the distinguishing features of these boats is their long overhanging bow which gives these undecked boats a reserve buoyancy and spray deflection in rough water. The planks are joined by tongues and groove fitting. Bombay machwas are operated from north of Mumbai as far as Jaigarh in the south. Satpati type is used up to Ratnagiri. Hodi is operated from Mumbai to Jaigarh, Ratnagiri machwas from Jaigarh to Karnataka border and Rampini boats in Southern Maharashtra and Northern Karnataka. Fishing boats of Goa, Karnataka and Kerala Fishing boats of Goa The traditional fishing craft of Goa are dugout canoes and planked boats with large out riggers. There is a rudimentary keel in the dugouts. The size of the boat varies from 7-8 m Fishing boats of Karnataka 5 Rampini boats are popular in Northern Karnataka and dugout in Southern Karnataka. Fishing boats of Kerala Dugout Plank built canoe Raft Catamaran 1) Dugout: Single logs of trees like mango and aini are scooped for its construction. Three types of dugouts are found to be in operation. They are Large ones known as Odam – 11.6 m length. Medium ones known as Thonies – 8 m length Smaller ones known as Bepu thoni – 7.5 m length They are propelled by paddles and sails. Sails are either square or sprit type. No rudder is used. Steering is by means of big paddle one quarter side. Larger ones operate boat seines and smaller ones gill nets and lines. 2) Plank built canoes (Tonga Vallam / Chemboke) Built with planks which are sewn with coir ropes Propelled by means of paddles and occasionally sails. Two types are distinguished i.e. A larger one– 12 x 1.5 x 0.8 m, B – Smaller one 7 x 1 x 0.6 m Used for operation of shore seines and gill nets 3) Raft catamaran (Chalatadi) It is constructed by tying 3-5 logs of soft wood with coir ropes Propelled by split bamboo oars and sails Used in pairs to operate boat seines and individually to operate gill nets and long lines. Fishing boats of Tamil Nadu Four regions can be distinguished along the coast of Tamil Nadu, each region having fishing craft with specific features Colachel to Cape Comorin 1) Boat catamaran It is made of three logs, the centre one fitted at a lower level than the other two giving it a boat shape. The logs are held by means of two blocks of wood on either end and secured by coir ropes passing through the grooves on the side of the logs. Size varies from 6.5 – 7.5 m Small triangular sail is used 6 Normally operated in pairs for boat seiners 2) Boat canoe (Vallam) Similar to Malabar dugout but spread by wedges and heightened by flared 22-25 cm wash strakes. Length varies from 9-13 m Single mast at amidships with lug sail. In larger ones, mizzen mast is also carried. Large rudder is fitted which descends much below the round bottom. Used for operation of gill nets and long lines. 3) Tuticorin boat It measures 9.6 x 2.0 x 0.9 m Long, relatively narrow with nearly vertical stem and stern Sheer line is almost straight. Single mast with lug sail Frames are not carried up to the gunwale but cut away at the sheer plank. The upper most planks are framed with a separate short piece not fastened to the main frame. 4) Kilakaral boat It is similar to Malabar dugout with additional vertical stakes. Provided with either one or two out riggers for stability Single mast with lug sail Use temporary rudder fixed at the sharp curved stern by orthodox pintle and gudgeon 5) Fishing Canoe Hull is either a dugout or plank built canoe Single mast with square headed lug 6) Adirampatnam fishing canoe Hull is a dugout canoe with wash strakes There is a pair of quarter steering boards instead of fixed rudder. Single mast, occasionally three masts are used For steering the boat, quarter boards are manipulated with feet by steer man sitting at the aft The balance board is exceptionally long. 7 7)Three masted plank built canoe Three masts are present 8) Kalla Dhoni Heavy transom stern Carries the largest and heaviest balance board Rigged with three masts and lug sails 9) Coromandal coast Catamaran Masula boat 10) Catamaran Made up of 1-1.6 m logs tied together raft wise. The logs are cut square at the stern and tapered at the bow with a little raise. The logs do not end in one line at the aft Bamboo mast is used with triangular sail. Five types are identified mostly depending upon the number of logs used. 11) Periyamaram 8 m long and 1 m wide consisting of 4 logs Middle pair project 1.2 m beyond outer logs 12) Irukumaram Made up of five logs, middle being the longest Used for gill net fishing 13) Kolamaram Made up of seven logs Two masts are used. 14) Thundilmaram 8 Made of five logs without beaked prow 15) Chinnanaram Made of three logs 16) Masula boat Size measures 9 x 2.4 x 1.2 m Open boats without ribs Planks are sewn with coir rope and inter space is filled with dry straw Stem and stern are raked, keel narrow High free board No mast or sail, long paddles are used Used for operation of shore seiners. Colachel to cape Comorin is a surf beaten coast where boat catamarans are popular.